Bismuth projectile

ABSTRACT

A bismuth projectile comprising bismuth and a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer. A method for making a projectile comprising injection molding molten or partially molten bismuth and, optionally, a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer to form a projectile.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisionalapplication entitled, “Bismuth Projectile,” having Ser. No. 60/648,704,filed Feb. 2, 2005, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bismuth projectile and a method ofmaking a bismuth projectile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Firearms are used in a wide variety of ways, including hunting and othersporting activities, law enforcement activities and military activities.As used herein, a “firearm” is intended to include rifles, pistols, gunsand the like. In hunting activities, spent bullets or parts of spentbullets remain in the environment. They may be eaten by game, or otheranimals or birds, either inadvertently or out of curiosity.

This can cause poisoning effects, depending on the type of bullet. Inaddition, if the bullet is a frangible bullet, parts of the bullet willbe scattered through the flesh of the game on impact, posing a potentialdanger to humans if the flesh is eaten or result in poisoning of theinjured animal and the likelihood of a slow death. If the bulletscontain lead, such poisoning and environmental effects pose significantconcerns about health issues, and have resulted in governmentalregulations banning the use of lead in such bullets.

In sporting activities and other testing of bullets e.g. in the firingof firearms at a firing range, lead-containing bullets are a healthhazard in that fumes of lead are dispersed into the atmosphere on impactof the bullet on the target or wood or other material behind the target.The resultant haze is hazardous to the health of persons using thefiring range, or employed in the firing range, and restrictions may berequired on the amount of time that may be spent by a person at or on afiring range. Thus, even though bullets may be collected from a firingrange in order that the materials from which the bullets are formed maybe recycled, fumes from lead-containing bullets are a major healthhazard.

In law enforcement activities, there is a need to be able to relatefragments of a bullet found at a crime scene to the firearm that wasused to fire the bullet. Such a correlation is often important evidencein obtaining a conviction. The barrel of a firearm imparts markings tothe outside of a bullet in the form of scratches, barrel rifling patternor other marks, effectively a signature of the firearm. It is thissignature that can be used in law enforcement to identify the firearmthat was used to fire a particular bullet. However, to do so, it isessential that the bullet be capable of accepting and retaining suchmarkings. This must occur even if the bullet is frangible, in which caselaw enforcement authorities must work with only particles or fragmentsof the bullet.

In military activities, bullets must be capable of being used inrapid-firing firearms, without causing jamming of the firearm duringuse.

Bullets may be categorized as being frangible bullets or non-frangiblebullets. The latter may substantially retain their shape on impact orbecome distorted in shape on impact without fragmentation. Frangiblebullets are intended to break apart on impact.

Some firearms are reloaded by mechanical means, for instance the use ofa bolt action to eject the shell of a spent bullet and insert a newbullet into the firing chamber of the firearm. For firearms that arereloaded by such mechanical means, the weight of the bullet has littlesignificant bearing on the reloading of the firearm. However, otherfirearms are automatic firearms, in which case the firing of one bulletactuates mechanisms for ejection of the spent shell and insertion of thenext bullet into the firing chamber, often in a very rapid manner. Suchmechanisms may, for instance, be actuated directly by pressure generatedfrom the barrel or gas activated using gas obtained from the barrel. Inboth cases, the weight of the bullet must be sufficient to create apressure within the barrel during the firing of the bullet that issufficient to actuate the mechanisms for ejection of the shell andinsertion of the next bullet into the firing chamber.

After the firing of a bullet in a firearm having an automatic reloadingmechanism, the next round is inserted into the firing chamber pendingthe next firing of a further bullet. In rapid-firing firearms, thebarrel of the firearm may become very hot, depending in particular onthe number of bullets fired in a sequence, and consequently the bulletloaded into the firing chamber may become hot. Thus, bullets intendedfor rapid-firing firearms must have properties that will withstand thetemperatures to which the bullet might be subjected in the firingchamber, without softening of any casing, fragmentation of anon-frangible bullet or other deleterious effects that might causemalfinctioning of the firearm, poor trajectory of the bullet or otherproblems.

Lead-free bullets are known. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,187 isdirected to a bullet formed from tungsten, or an alloy of tungsten, andphenol formaldehyde or polymethylmethacrylate polymers. U.S. Pat. No.5,012,743 is directed to a light weight elongated projectile formed froma casing of copper alloy, steel or similar material and a lower densitycore e.g. polycarbonate or polyamide. International Patent ApplicationNo. WO 95/23952 is directed to a projectile having a core ofpolyethylene and iron. German Patent No. 9209598 is directed to a bulletformed from a plastic viz. polypropylene homopolymer, and a metaljacket. U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,777 is directed to a lead bulletmanufactured by the pouring of lead. U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,149 is directedto an injection molded bullet having a polymer and polymer metalcomposite, wherein the metal is in a powdered form.

Projectiles formed from bismuth alloy powders are disclosed inInternational Patent Application Nos. WO 92/08097 and WO 95/08748.Bismuth is considered to be non-toxic and has a specific gravity of9.747. However, elemental bismuth is highly crystalline in its solidform and, as such, limits the methods that can be used to process it.Methods typically employed in traditional bullet manufacturing wheremore ductile materials, such as lead, are used will cause bismuth tofracture. Methods such as punching, pressing and swaging, to name a few,will cause bismuth to fracture during production, thus destroying theprojectile's structural properties. In order to improve the processability of bismuth, bismuth is typically alloyed with metals such as tinor zinc, for example. Tin and zinc have a specific gravity of 7.31 and7.133, respectively, so the resulting bismuth/tin/zinc alloy will have alower specific gravity than pure bismuth, thus producing a projectilewith lower ballistic energy for a given velocity. Other metals such ascadmium, for example, can be alloyed with bismuth but cadmium is knownto be toxic.

Pure bismuth may be formed into a projectile by casting or spin molding,which can negatively affect ultimate material properties such as densityand net shape in the finished article.

Thus, there is a need for a method for making a projectile from bismuththat obviates or mitigates at least some of the shortcomings of themethods of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, there is provided a method for making a projectile, suchas a bullet, from molten or partially molten bismuth. The methodcomprises a projectile comprising injection molding a compositioncomprising molten or partially molten bismuth and, optionally, anon-alloying metal and/or a polymer to form a projectile.

In a further aspect, there is provided an injection molding method formaking a projectile from a composition comprising molten or partiallymolten bismuth and, optionally, a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer,whereby the bismuth expands when it solidifies, which substantiallyeliminates shrinkage, improves densification and bonding to a copperjacket or matrix, if employed. In yet another aspect, there is provideda composition comprising molten or partially molten bismuth and,optionally, a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer injection molded intothe copper jacket or matrix also produces a frangible bullet thatretains its barrel signature.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for the manufacture of aprojectile comprising injecting molten or partially molten bismuth intoa mold to form a projectile.

In a further aspect, there is provided a method for making a projectilecomprising:

inserting a jacket having one open end into a mold of a projectile;

injecting a composition comprising molten or partially molten bismuthand, optionally, a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer into the jacketthrough the open end; and

removing the projectile so formed from the mold.

In a further aspect, there is provided a projectile comprising acomposition comprising bismuth and a non-alloying metal and/or apolymer.

In another aspect, there is provided a projectile made in accordancewith any method discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Injection molding is limited to specific types of materials due totemperatures, required injection rates, heat transfer issues, etc.Bismuth has a relatively low melt temperature comparable to manypolymers. Bismuth has a relatively low specific heat compared to othermetals (122 J/Kg·K) thus improving heat transfer issues in injectionmolding runner systems, etc. Injection molding pressures are typicallyin the many thousands of pounds per square inch. This produces partsthat can exhibit high density and detailed features using a high speedmanufacturing process.

As used herein, “injection molding” is intended to encompass moldingprocesses such as, and without being limited thereto, conventionalinjection molding, thixotropic injection molding (TXM), high pressuredie casting, and the like.

Bismuth is considered to be non-toxic and is a good substitute for leadin projectiles used for firearms. One embodiment of a method for makinga lead-free projectile from molten or partially molten bismuth comprisesinjection molding of a composition comprising molten or partially moltenbismuth and, optionally, a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer to form aprojectile. More particularly, the composition is injected into a moldto form a projectile.

As used herein, “partially molten” is intended to encompass greater thanabout 0% molten to less than about 100% molten, typically, at leastabout 50% molten.

As used herein “non-alloying metal” is intended to encompass any metalor metal alloy that does not substantially alloy with bismuth; e.g. alow percentage of the metal or metal alloy may partially alloy (forexample, about 1 to about 5%) with bismuth. Typically, the non-alloyingmetal is any metal or metal alloy that has a higher melting point thanbismuth, such as, and without being limited thereto, copper, tungsten,zirconium, steel, titanium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, zinc, other highdensity metals and combinations thereof. The properties or form of themetal or metal alloy will be such that the metal or metal alloy does notsubstantially alloy with bismuth. For example, zinc can alloy withbismuth if the zinc is in a molten state; however, if zinc is not in amolten state, it will not substantially alloy with bismuth andtherefore, qualifies as a non-alloying metal, in this particular state,in accordance with the definition of non-alloying metal used herein. Thenon-alloying metal(s) used herein are typically in solid form, such as,and without being limited thereto, powder or flake form but, it isunderstood that the non-alloying metal(s) can be in other forms as longas that form does not permit the metal to substantially alloy withbismuth during and/or after processing of the projectile.

Bismuth in a molten or partially molten form may act as a matrix orbinder, if desired, with other non-alloying metal powder(s) thattypically is any metal or metal alloy that has a higher melting pointthan bismuth, such as, and without being limited thereto, copper,tungsten, zirconium, steel, titanium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, zinc,other high density metals and combinations thereof. In an example,during the injection molding method, a slurry having molten or partiallymolten bismuth and a non-alloying metal powder, such as copper ortungsten, are injected at temperatures typically from about 260° C. toabout 375° C. to form a projectile. The composition, in combination withthe injection molding method, as described, can control both themechanical properties and specific gravity of the article while allowingflexibility in raw material costs, depending on the application.

Bismuth in a molten or partially molten form may act as a matrix orbinder, if desired, with other molten or partially molten polymer(s).For example, during the injection molding method, both the polymer(s)and bismuth are in a molten or partially molten state and are injectedat temperatures typically from about 260° C. to about 375° C. to form aprojectile. The composition can impart desirable mechanical propertiesto the bismuth such as ductility, controlled frangibility, orballistics, if desired. In addition, the polymers can act as a lubricantto facilitate mold release and reduce vent and mold flash associatedwith low viscosity materials such as molten metals, including bismuth.Therefore, it would be beneficial to also combine molten or partiallymolten bismuth and a non-alloying metal(s) with polymer(s).

The temperatures used in the injection molding method of the presentinvention may be any suitable temperatures that permit bismuth to becomemolten or partially molten. In one embodiment of the bismuth/polymercomposition, the suitable temperature is that which permits the polymerto become molten or partially molten and the bismuth to become molten orpartially molten. In a further embodiment of the bismuth compositioncomprising a non-alloying metal or a non-alloying metal and a polymer,the suitable temperature is one that only permits the bismuth to becomemolten or partially molten.

Pre-compounding of the constituents can be accomplished by at least oneof bulk mixing, mechanical compounding, compound extrusion,co-extrusion, co-injection, insert injection and transfer injectionmolding, to name a few.

It is understood that the compositions used herein may have more thanone non-alloying metal and/or more than one polymer in combination withthe molten or partially molten bismuth.

Another embodiment of the method for the manufacture of a projectilecomprises inserting a jacket having one open end into a mold of aprojectile. A composition comprising molten or partially molten bismuthand, optionally, the non-alloying metal and/or the polymer are injectedinto the jacket through the open end and the projectile formed isremoved from the mold. Bismuth expands when it solidifies. Thiseliminates shrinkage, improves densification and bonding to the jacket.

The separate components of the composition can be injected separately orin combination. In a typical embodiment of the present invention, theprojectiles are manufactured in a one-step injection molding process. Insuch a process, a jacket in the form of a shell is inserted into a mold.One end of the shell is open and the diameter of the shell is slightlyless than the required diameter of the projectile; the mold is of adiameter slightly larger than the shell, to permit insertion of theshell into the mold, and of a diameter appropriate for production ofprojectiles of the required diameter. The other end of the shell may bepreformed into a desired shape e.g. a parabellum. However, inembodiments the shell can be any suitable shape for formation of atleast a portion of the projectile. Typically, the mold is a rightcylindrical shell with an open end, the opposed end having roundedcomers to facilitate forming into the desired shape in the mold.

The projectiles may be formed in at least two ways. For instance, if theprojectile is a hollow tipped projectile or otherwise has a tip that isnot formed from the shell, then the open end of the shell will be thetip of the projectile. The rear of the projectile would normally be atruncated cone, or other suitable shape, and the mold would have acorresponding shape. If the projectile has a tip formed from the shelle.g. a rounded or parabolic tip, then the mold would have thecorresponding shape. The mold could be adapted to form at least twoother shapes at the open end of the shell e.g. a core in the shape of atruncated cone extending from the shell or a right cylindrical shape. Inthe injection molding process, for a hollow point projectile, the moldis closed at which time the truncated cone, or other shape, end isformed. The molten or partially molten bismuth and, optionally, thenon-alloying metal and/or the polymer are injected, which forms theshape of the hollow point and also sizes the jacket to the size of themold. The projectile so formed is then ejected from the mold.

In the injection molding process for a projectile with a solid point(tip), it is typical that the tip be preformed but such preforming couldbe carried out in the mold prior to injection of the molten or partiallymolten bismuth. The molten or partially molten bismuth is then injectedand the open end formed into the desired shape. Typically, the open endof the jacket is curled inwards towards the tip, and such curling iscarried out by the closing of the mold, after injection of the polymer.The inwardly curled end effectively locks the bismuth into theprojectile. In particular, the inwardly curled end prevents the bismuthfrom separating from the shell on firing of the projectile.

It is understood that the jacket could be preformed i.e. formed prior toinsertion into the mold of the injection molding process, or formed inthe mold as part of the injection molding process.

The molten or partially molten bismuth used in the method of the presentinvention, as mentioned above, may also comprise the non-alloying metaland/or the polymer. Some examples of compositions of the molten orpartially molten bismuth includes from about 99% to about 100% by weightbismuth; a bismuth composition comprising molten or partially moltenbismuth comprising from about 1% to about 99% by weight bismuth and fromabout 1% to about 99% by weight of a non-alloying metal, such as copper,tungsten, etc; a bismuth composition comprising molten or partiallymolten bismuth comprising from about 1% to about 99% by weight bismuthand from about 1% to about 99% by weight of a polymer; and a bismuthcomposition comprising molten or partially molten bismuth comprisingfrom about 1% to about 99% by weight bismuth and from about 1% to about99% by weight of both a non-alloying metal and a polymer combined.

The composition may contain any amount of bismuth, non-alloying metaland/or polymer depending on the properties of the projectile that aredesired. For example, whether one desires a frangible bullet or anon-frangible bullet. In some instances, at least about 50% by weightbismuth is used. In more typical embodiments, the bismuth-containingprojectiles contain at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% by weightbismuth. Projectiles containing from about 60% to about 95% by weight ormore bismuth perform well ballistically, and with increasingly highproportions of bismuth, such projectiles can approach or attain theballistic performance of corresponding lead projectiles. In a specificembodiment for a frangible projectile, the bismuth composition comprisesabout 75% by weight bismuth and about 25% by weight copper. In anotherembodiment of a projectile, the bismuth composition comprises about 10%to about 15% by weight bismuth and about 85% to 90% by weight copper orsteel.

The polymer used in the bismuth composition is typically amorphous or isof low crystallinity. In embodiments, the polymer is both thermoplasticand thermoset polymers. For example, polymers such asethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer, polyetherester elastomer,polydicyclopentadiene, polydimethylsiloxane, polyamide, and mixturesthereof. A typical polymer is an ionomer. It is understood that thepolymers would have a molecular weight suitable for the intended end-useand associated manufacturing processes.

Examples of ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer ionomers areethylene/methacrylic acid copolymers that have been partiallyneutralized with metal ions such as sodium or zinc. Such polymers areavailable from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company under the trademarkSurlyn. It is preferred that the ionomer not be too viscous, for ease ofdispersion of molten or partially molten bismuth in the composition.Examples of polyamides include nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 12/12 andrelated amorphous or low crystallinity polyamides. The polymer may alsobe a polyetherester elastomer e.g. an elastomer available from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Hytrel. Blends of suchpolymers or of such polymers with other polymers to provide amorphous orlow crystallinity polymers may also be used.

If a jacket of a projectile is employed, a variety of materials may beused to form the jacket. For instance, the jacket may be formed fromcopper or nylon such as nylon 6-6, nylon 6-12, nylon 4-12, flexiblenylon, nylon 6 or nylon 11, or nylon filled with impact modifiers. Asused herein, flexible nylon refers to compositions of polyamides e.g.nylon 6-6, with copolymers of ethylene, e.g. copolymers of ethylene withmethacrylic acid, which may be partially neutralized, and/or copolymersof ethylene with methacrylic esters and monomers copolymerizabletherewith, such polymers being characterized by improved flexibilityproperties compared with the polyamide per se. The jacket may also beformed from high molecular weight polyethylene, ultra high molecularweight polyethylene, polyetherester or other elastomers, polyphenylenesulphide, liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) and ionomers. It is alsounderstood that the polyethylene used to manufacture the jacket may be across-linked polyethylene.

If the jacket is formed from a thermoplastic polymer, the jacket may beformed using an injection molding process. In doing so, care must betaken to ensure that the jacket is uniform in cross-section as anyeccentricity in the jacket may affect the flight properties of theprojectile after firing from the firearm. In particular, eccentricitymay result in deviation of the projectile from its intended trajectory,resulting in a scatter of projectiles about the intended target. Thus,typically, the gate of the mold is along the axis of the projectile orjacket, to lessen the likelihood of shifting of the jacket in the moldduring injection of the molten or partially molten bismuth.

Metals may be used to form the jacket, provided that the metals can beformed into the shape of the jacket to permit manufacture in a simpleand consistent manner. In addition, the jacket may have sufficienthardness so that the jacket does not abrade during passage down thebarrel and result in contamination of the barrel.

If the projectile is a frangible bullet then, typically, there issufficient adhesion between the bismuth, optionally including anon-alloying metal and/or a polymer, and the jacket such that the bulletwill retain its integrity from the moment of firing within the firearmuntil impact on the target. However, the adhesion between the bismuth,optionally including a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer, and thejacket is, typically, not so strong as to inhibit fragmentation of thebullet on impact with the target, as this would affect the frangibleproperties of the bullet. The jacket is typically formed of a materialthat will be marked during the firing of the bullet and the passage ofthe bullet down the barrel of the firearm, so that the signature of thefirearm is imprinted on the jacket. Moreover, typically, the jacketretains its integrity to a sufficient extent that the signature of thefirearm is retained on the jacket even after impact of the bullet on atarget.

The jacket may be constructed with internal serrations, such that onimpact of the bullet with a target, the jacket will split along groovesof the serrations and assist in the frangible properties of the bullet.Such serrations will also assist in fragmentation of the bullet per se.

Various sizes and shapes of bismuth projectiles may be made using themethod of the present invention. Within the requirements to manufacturea projectile of acceptable properties, in particular, a projectilehaving the required weight characteristics for the particular firearmthat is to be used, the bismuth and, optionally, other suitablematerials such as the non-alloying metal and/or the polymer, and jacketsmay be used in any combination.

The injection molded bismuth projectiles of the present invention areparticularly intended to replace conventional lead projectiles, or theequivalent thereof. Thus, the projectiles would normally have a similarweight of a comparable lead projectile i.e. a lead projectile of thesame dimensions.

The terms “a” and “an” as used herein are intended to encompass one ormore.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to bestexplain the present invention and its practical application and tothereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize theinvention. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that thedescription and examples are presented for the purpose of illustrationand example only. Other variations and modifications of the presentinvention will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and it is theintent of the appended claims that such variations and modifications becovered.

1. A method for making a projectile comprising injection molding acomposition comprising molten or partially molten bismuth and,optionally, a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer to form a projectile.2. A method for making a projectile of claim 1, wherein the projectileis a bullet.
 3. A method for making a projectile of claim 1, wherein theprojectile is a high density projectile.
 4. A method for making aprojectile of claim 1, wherein injection molding comprises injecting thecomposition into a mold to form the projectile.
 5. A method for making aprojectile of claim 1, wherein injection molding is conventionalinjection molding, thixotropic injection molding (TXM), and/or highpressure die casting.
 6. A method for making a projectile of claim 1,wherein partially molten is at least about 50% molten.
 7. A method formaking a projectile of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises themolten or partially molten bismuth and the non-alloying metal and/or thepolymer.
 8. A method for making a projectile of claim 1, wherein thecomposition comprises the molten or partially molten bismuth, thenon-alloying metal and the polymer.
 9. A method for making a projectileof claim 1, wherein the non-alloying metal is selected from the groupconsisting of copper, tungsten, zirconium, steel, titanium, hafnium,niobium, tantalum, zinc, other high density metals and combinationsthereof.
 10. A method for making a projectile of claim 1, wherein theinjection molding is at any suitable temperature that permits bismuth tobecome molten or partially molten.
 11. A method for making a projectileof claim 10, wherein the injection molding is conducted at a temperaturefrom about 260° C. to about 375° C.
 12. A method for making a projectileof claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about 1% to about 99%by weight bismuth.
 13. A method for making a projectile of claim 1,wherein the composition comprises from about 60% to about 95% by weightbismuth.
 14. A method for making a projectile of claim 12, wherein thecomposition comprises from about 1% to about 99% by weight of thenon-alloying metal and/or the polymer.
 15. A method for making aprojectile of claim 1, wherein the polymer is amorphous or has a lowcrystallinity.
 16. A method for making a projectile of claim 1, whereinthe polymer is selected from the group consisting ofethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer, polyetherester elastomer,polydicyclopentadiene, polydimethylsiloxane, polyamide, and mixturesthereof.
 17. A method for making a projectile of claim 1, wherein thepolymer is an ionomer.
 18. A method for making a projectile comprising:inserting a jacket having one open end into a mold of a projectile;injecting a composition comprising molten or partially molten bismuthand, optionally, a non-alloying metal and/or a polymer into the jacketthrough the open end; and removing the projectile so formed from themold.
 19. A method for making a projectile of claim 18, wherein theprojectile is a bullet.
 20. A method for making a projectile of claim18, wherein partially molten is at least about 50% molten.
 21. A methodfor making a projectile of claim 18, wherein the composition comprisesthe molten or partially molten bismuth and the non-alloying metal and/orthe polymer.
 22. A method for making a projectile of claim 18, whereinthe composition comprises the molten or partially molten bismuth, thenon-alloying metal and the polymer.
 23. A method for making a projectileof claim 18, wherein the non-alloying metal is selected from the groupconsisting of copper, tungsten, zirconium, steel, titanium, hafnium,niobium, tantalum, zinc, other high density metals and combinationsthereof.
 24. A method for making a projectile of claim 18, wherein theinjecting the composition is at any suitable temperature that permitsbismuth to become molten or partially molten.
 25. A method for making aprojectile of claim 18, wherein the composition comprises from about 1%to about 99% by weight bismuth.
 26. A method for making a projectile ofclaim 18, wherein the composition comprises from about 60% to about 95%by weight bismuth.
 27. A method for making a projectile of claim 25,wherein the composition comprises from about 1% to about 99% by weightof the non-alloying metal and/or the polymer.
 28. A method for making aprojectile of claim 18, wherein the polymer is amorphous or has a lowcrystallinity.
 29. A method for making a projectile of claim 18, whereinthe jacket comprises a metal.
 30. A projectile made by the method ofclaim
 1. 31. A projectile made by the method of claim
 18. 32. Aprojectile comprising a composition comprising bismuth and anon-alloying metal and/or a polymer.
 33. A projectile of claim 32,wherein the projectile is a bullet.
 34. A projectile of claim 32,wherein the projectile is a high density projectile.
 35. A projectile ofclaim 32, wherein the non-alloying metal is selected from the groupconsisting of copper, tungsten, zirconium, steel, titanium, hafnium,niobium, tantalum, zinc, other high density metals and combinationsthereof.
 36. A projectile of claim 32, wherein the composition comprisesfrom about 1% to about 99% by weight bismuth.
 37. A projectile of claim32, wherein the composition comprises from about 60% to about 95% byweight bismuth.
 38. A projectile of claim 32, wherein the compositioncomprises from about 1% to about 99% by weight of the non-alloying metaland/or the polymer.
 39. A projectile of claim 32, wherein the polymer isamorphous or has a low crystallinity.
 40. A projectile of claim 32,wherein the polymer is an ionomer.